Lost: "Dr. Linus" Review

Ben faces his own demise.

Lost: Season 6 continues to astound me with its quality. After last season's sci-fi heavy focus, Lindelof and Cuse have managed to find the perfect mix between character, action and science fiction. "Dr. Linus" is another great episode that focuses on pivotal decisions that affect these characters both off and on the island. As we get deeper into this season, it becomes clear that everything we've learned about these characters over the past five years weighs heavily on their actions over the next few weeks.

Jack Shephard and Hurley's run in with Richard Alpert delivered one of the best moments of the entire season so far. Again, as I said in an earlier review, I absolutely love seeing Richard freaked out about all the events that have taken place since "The Incident." He's terrified, confused and disillusioned after Jacob's death but I wasn't expecting him to be flat out suicidal. The return to the Black Rock finally gave us confirmation that he was indeed a crew member (or a slave) and that somehow (by touch apparently) Jacob gave him a gift. It's a satisfactory explanation that ties well into what happens next.

The dynamite scene was absolutely fantastic. Jack didn't flinch or waiver, he challenged the fates and won. Sayid surrendered his bad ass crown last week after giving into Team Smokie and now Jack has picked it right up. Without question, Jack Shephard is a man of faith. Despite his frustrations with Jacob's methods, I get the sense that he trusts the plan set out before him. Either that, or he's simply fed-up of fighting against fate and has accepted that his destiny is out of his hands. In that respect, I'm a little disappointed. I want Jack, and the rest of Jacob's group, to ultimately be in control of their own fate instead of pawns in someone's plans. Right now that simply isn't the case but it's pretty clear that it will be a key point of contention between Jacob and Jack at some point down the line.

Determinism vs. Free Will has been an important theme throughout this series. Now it appears to be a pivotal part of the story itself as Smokie offers what appears to be choice while Jacob's machinations are causing his followers distress. Richard has lived for centuries under the assumption that Jacob's plans would be revealed to him one day, only to be repaid with no answers and no purpose. I'm starting to think that Jacob wanted to take all of these characters to the brink of not trusting him or his methods just to see how they'll handle themselves. Will they choose to take the easier path or continue to follow the just, yet difficult, road that lies ahead? We've seen this choice manifest itself every week and it's led to some brilliant character moments.

Kate doesn't run, Jack becomes a better father, Sayid is a murderer and Locke finds his place in the world. This week it's Ben's turn to make a decision. Just like Richard, Ben was disillusioned by Jacob's plan after suffering the death of his own daughter to protect the island. Now that he's killed Jacob, Ben must face Ilana and come to terms with everything that he has done.

Symbolically, having Ben dig his own grave was an apt visual. After all, Ben's been digging his own grave for years after manipulating, cheating and murdering so many people in the name of Jacob. It seemed fitting that we see him prepare his own final resting place. It's a little unfortunate that Ilana is so underdeveloped; her scenes with Ben, and her suffering, would have resonated much more if we knew more about her character. As it stands, Ilana is the least developed character on Lost since Nikki and Paulo.

Just like in "Sundown," Locke appears and offers a choice. He gives Ben freedom and asks him to join their little crusade to get off the island. Initially, when we see Ben make a run for freedom, it appears as if he has made his choice. It appeared as if Ben had taken the easy road to victory but instead he surprises us. What follows is a heart wrenching moment with Ben breaking down and sharing his suffering after having to witness his own daughter die right before his eyes. Ben has made incredible sacrifices for Jacob and for the island which is why he killed Jacob. Instead of running from the truth, Ben finally faced all the terrible things he has done. And, with one act of attrition, he was spared.

In this week's flash-sideways, Ben hatches a Machiavellian scheme to take over the role of principal. We've seen "our" Ben hatch and carry out schemes far more devious than anything seen in this glimpse into his alternate life, but that type of behaviour initially appears to be foreign to this version. Ben quickly gets the hang of it however and puts together enough evidence of an affair on school property to force the principal to resign. Things turn sour when the principal (William Atherton) turns the tables on Ben as Alex's (surprise, another connection revealed) future hangs in the balance. This decision is juxtaposed with Ben's decision on the island and almost simultaneously we discover that the Benjamin Linus we've known for years isn't as evil as we initially thought.

Of course, I wouldn't claim that he's "one of the good guys" either, but Ben Linus does have his heart in the right place. The problem is that when he committed himself to Jacob's cause he may have taken things a little too far. I'm curious to learn if the murder of the DHARMA Initiative was something that was sanctioned by Jacob. If it wasn't, why did he still let it happen? Ben's not a good man, but he isn't evil, he's just easily influenced. One simple suggestion by Locke at the school led him down a dark path to destroy a man's career. On the island, Ben performed unspeakable acts in Jacob's name.

Now that Ben has redeemed himself, at least in the eyes of Ilana, it will be interesting to see how he functions with the rest of Team Jacob (No, not that Team Jacob!) and what Locke's response will be. Even after Ben's emotional breakdown, I would plan to keep one eye on him at all times.

There are plenty of funny little jokes woven into this week's script that I wanted to mention. Hurley's jokes about Richard being like the Terminator were fun. Especially after Richard mentioned that he couldn't kill himself and that Jack would have to do it for him. I half expected Hurley to make another quip about Richard not being able to "self-terminate." Miles' discovery of Nikki and Paulo's diamonds was a fitting conclusion to their storyline. It's hilarious that Miles and Hurley's unique abilities to speak with the dead are so matter-of-fact this season. Ilana mentions Miles' ability like it is a perfectly naturally thing for someone to have that gift.

Seeing Widmore's sub approach the island was pretty damn awesome for lack of a better phrase. Could 108-Wallace be a member of his crew? Needless to say, I'm looking forward to seeing Widmore finally get his chance to set foot on the island again.